TITTLE: Malawi and homosexuality: politics vs justice Presenter: Gift Trapence Organisation: Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) Country: Malawi

Political support of LGBT issues in Malawi and Africa. State sponsored homophobia and blame game. International conventions, HIV/AIDS policies vs sodomy laws: standards of double dealing. Governance, democracy and accountability woes: the tendency of hiding behind LGBT issues. Work towards addressing the issues INTRODUCTION

Political support of LGBT issues in Malawi and Africa Politicians don’t support equal rights for LGBT people. Politicians homophobic statements. (Tiwonge and Steven sodomy case). - homosexuality is un African, is a taboo, unthinkable. - Gay people are mentally challenged, their behavior is foolish and satanic. Governments and opposition politicians agree only on condemnation of homosexuality. The media sensationalize politicians statements on LGBT and allow politicians to use it to their advantage.

State sanctioned homophobia and blame game Government threats to ban NGOs advocating for the rights of LGBT people. Police arrests, threats and hunting of high LGBT individuals. Government issue of intimidating press statements. Blame game on donors imposing western agenda to African governments. Blame game on NGOs of being bought by Donors.

Governance,democracy and accountability woes: the tendency of hiding behind LGBT issues. Why politicians are so vocal on condemning LGBT as compared to sexual violence? (rape and defilement). Government politicizing the sodomy case to seize opportunity to distract people’s attention from other governance issues Government bashing LGBT to seek people’s sympathy

International conventions, HIV/AIDS policies vs sodomy laws: standards of double dealing Ratification of numerous conventions for the right to equality and dignity. Inclusion of MSM in HIV prevention strategies and policies. Recognition and arrests of LGBT people. what a contradiction? -For LGBT its sodomy and for MSM HIV outreach workers possession of pornographic materials. Need for explanation on double dealing - is it a strategy to access Global fund money.

Addressing the issues Advocacy around constitutional, legal and policy and changing the attitudes - CEDEP works with public health professionals, academia, UN Agencies, local and International NGOs. -Hosted LGBT national conference for 70 participants where a task force was formed to push for the health and human rights of Malawi 's most at-risk populations. Research on MSM HIV and human rights Results- Inclusion of MSM in national HIV prevention action frame work.

Addressing the issues cont…. CEDEP reached 350 MSM with HIV related information. Training of the media on LGBT issues Challenges Lack of support from policy makers, NGOs and National Aids Council. Lack of funding to scale up the programs Since 2006 CEDEP has been applying for funding from the Aids Council but can’t access the funding

CONCLUSION Politicians should be taken to task on all aspects of good governance including respect for human rights and should not hide behind LGBT issues. Existing funding structures fail to address the needs of vulnerable groups because of lack of political will to implement existing policies. Its overdue for Donors including civil society to push African governments to reform policies, laws impending access to health care of LGBT people THANK YOU